I miss this very important piece of the Epcot (and DAK, actually) experience.
When are the cast members returning?
When are the cast members returning?
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When are the International Staff of World Showcase Coming Back?
- Thread starter EPCOTCenterLover
- Start date
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
I would imagine whenever all the international travel restrictions are lifted.
And the Program gets back on it's feet.
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And the Program gets back on it's feet.
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castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
I mentioned in another thread I would imagine they would want them back for epcot pretty soon, as more and more things open, the people in world showcase will get moved back to their original areas. Disney will need to replace them with new hires or cultural reps, I’m assuming they’re trying to figure out how to make it happen so they can start to fill soots with internationals.
The work visa ban ended in April, but I think Disney will be keeping an eye on vaccination rates. Really, all 10 World Showcase countries are making good progress on vaccination, with Japan probably the slowest so far (assuming China’s vaccine actually works, which their own government is now questioning).
I would think that they could move on several countries this summer if they wanted to, basically every French and Canadian adult is now eligible, and that’s true in parts of the UK, and the rest will likely move there soon. I believe Germany is opening to everyone next week too. Norway is looking at July, while Mexico is struggling and Italy appears a bit further behind their European counterparts. I couldn’t find information for China or Morocco.
I would think that they could move on several countries this summer if they wanted to, basically every French and Canadian adult is now eligible, and that’s true in parts of the UK, and the rest will likely move there soon. I believe Germany is opening to everyone next week too. Norway is looking at July, while Mexico is struggling and Italy appears a bit further behind their European counterparts. I couldn’t find information for China or Morocco.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Fall.
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Still haven’t heard anything concrete, but would love to update the burn marks on my hands from that famous cheese soup, and that new nametag...
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
With the exception of the UK, I think summer might still be a bit soon for most of Europe. I'm in the Netherlands which has been one of the slower countries to vaccinate but not too far behind, and they've just announced today people born in 1992 can start making appointments for their first vaccine. I was born about a decade earlier and only have my first jab on Monday and second on July 20. So I suspect there will still be minimal amounts of people within the right age for the International Program fully vaccinated by the end of July in France and Germany, at least.
Mexico is a bit of a mixed bag. The overall rate is still around 20% vaccinated, but I know people younger than me vaccinated there and a lot of those who can are flying to the US for the vaccination. After the difficulties getting the AstraZenica, Pfizer, and Moderna vaccines, they have also opened up to Sputnik V and Cansino, so not sure the US government recognises those.
Who says they are? One of the things Chapek and his crew may have decided is that it isn’t necessary any longer. Sure it takes away from the feel of World Showcase, but they’ve taken away the feel of a lot and people keep spending $$$$$$$ to go there. Who’s to say he won’t view this the same way?
DHSfanatic
Member
I very much agree. For our family, a good part of the appeal of the WS restaurants comes from international staff.
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Because they need them just as much as they need the CPs. Other than adding to the authenticity, Disney needs the Labor, a lot of the staff at world showcase is on loan from their original locations. Once these places start reopening/operating at full capacity there’s going to be a lot of spots to fill. I think once they get through the first wave or 2 of CP on boarding you’ll see recruitment for Cultural Reps open up.
peter11435
Well-Known Member
They will be back. They need them back
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Have you heard any ETA
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Swan and Dolphin announced yesterday they are recruiting international students on J1 visas to coke work for them. Could be a good sign for Epcot/DAK Reps to start being recruited soon. If Disney wanted to get creative with Q1 visas they could even expand work locations for cultural reps to help with staffing issues. They did this with Riviera pre Covid by having cultural reps from Italy and France as lobby greeters. It could be possible to continue this at other resorts (Caribbean countries at CBR, Mexico and Spain at Coronado etc). But I think the main goal is to get them back at Epcot so domestic cast can be used elsewhere.
MorphinePrince
Well-Known Member
I was in World Showcase for the first time since WDW reopened last summer and it was genuinely a miserable experience without the Cultural Representatives. I really saw how "fake" that area of the park is without interacting with those wonderful CMs. Nothing says "magical" like having some run of the mill American college kid welcome you to Norway or make a cringey attempt to speak French in the Wine Bar. I'm just glad I am no longer a coordinator there, what a sad job that would be.
The Lochness Monsta
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I miss the rude italian people, who give me a smug look when I ask where the restrooms are.
castmember - "It's in Germany, (under his breath) you stupid American idiot."
castmember - "It's in Germany, (under his breath) you stupid American idiot."
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Making it a truly international exchange!